Chinese Muslims get own mosque in Perak

By : Jaspal Singh

IPOH: Finally, Perak will have its first mosque for Chinese Muslims.

President of the state Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, in giving his consent to the construction of the mosque, also approved a RM2 million allocation from the council to kick-start the project.

In his speech at the opening of the council’s 166th meeting here yesterday, Raja Nazrin, the Raja Muda of Perak, said he consented to having a Chinese Muslim mosque in the state after considering requests from the Chinese Muslim Association of Ipoh and Taman Tasek Jaya mosque committee here.

“Taking into account Malaysia’s diverse ethnicity, culture and language, I have given my consent for the construction of the mosque in Taman Tasek Jaya.”

Raja Nazrin said Islam did not restrict or prohibit its followers from practising their cultures, adding that no one should try to narrow the perception of Islam on such a matter.

He said Islam was given to all of humanity regardless of race or culture.

“In this country, Islam is not the sole domain of Malays. People of other races too have the right to pursue Islam in accordance with their own cultures provided these do not contradict the religion.

“In fact, the messages and values of Islam will be easily acceptable if these were propagated through the adherents’ own languages and cultures.”

Raja Nazrin said the diversity of the human population showed that God had intended for it in the first place and Islam, having come from God, was universal in its values and approaches.

“Islam does not reject cultural practices which are not inconsistent with it. Thereby, as long as cultural values do not go against Islam, no one should attempt to stop or discourage cultural practices.”

On the proposed Chinese Muslim mosque, he said the structure would be built according to Chinese architecture and it would serve not merely as a prayer venue but also as an information, community and knowledge centre.

Raja Nazrin said the mosque, which will be built on a 3,776 sq m site, would cater to Muslims living in Taman Seri Tasek, Taman Tasek Baru, Taman Manika-vasagam, Taman Tasek Jaya, Taman Musim Bunga, Taman Tasek Mutiara and Taman Tasek Berlian.

The regent proposed that a business centre and a cafeteria be built in the mosque compound so that the mosque would have comprehensive facilities for the Muslim community in the area.

He expressed his appreciation to personalities such as Chinese Muslim Association of Ipoh president Datuk Dr Fadzli Cheah Abdullah, who had been instrumental in seeking to establish the state’s first Chinese Muslim mosque.